The NFL Combine is a great place to meet former NFL greats, a melting pot that brings together plenty of personalities as the next generation of stars showcases its wares for the scouts. Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is one such celebrity at this year’s event.
But he’s there in a different capacity.
His son Brenden Rice is competing in the NFL Combine, hoping to prove to NFL teams that he is worthy of a draft pick.
“You know what, I’m so proud, but I think he done worked really hard and he’s looking forward to this opportunity,” Jerry Rice told the NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl. “I’m just being a parent, I’m just being here to support him.”
Rice had a strong career for USC, putting together his best year as a senior in 2023. He finished that campaign with 45 catches for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns.
In total during his career with the Trojans, Rice logged 111 catches for 1,821 yards and 21 touchdowns.
His father just wants to see him be successful, but for all the pressure-packed moments Jerry Rice was in as a player in the NFL, he hasn’t quite experienced something like this.
“It’s always nervous. When your kids are trying to do something that’s really incredible you always try to put them in a position where they can win,” Rice said. “But that’s just like when my daughter was singing the national anthem. It was like, ‘Oh my God,’ I almost died on the field before that football game. But that’s just part of it, and I’m sure he’s excited about the opportunity.”
If nothing else, Brenden Rice has a pretty good weapon in his back pocket. He can call on his father at any point.
Jerry Rice has tried to avoid chiming in too much, instead allowing his son to approach him if there are parts of his game he wants broken down or analyzed.
“I hear people tell, well, they say it to me all the time, ‘Don’t be so critical and stuff like that,'” Jerry Rice said. “But only if he should ask me information is when I would pass that information on to him. But I’m just here as a parent. It’s going to be a great opportunity for him, so I’m excited for him.”
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